This website uses cookies. We use technologies, such as cookies, to customise content and advertising, to provide social media features and to analyse traffic to the site (including the use of ad blockers). By continuing to use our website you consent to our Privacy and Cookie Policy. Read more

Happy Feet Review

David Mccomb

2 Nov 2006 10:20Last updated: 9 Oct 2015 17:49

Release date20 Oct 2006

DeveloperA2M

Charming and diverse set of kids' gaming fun, including some dance-mat action.

★★★★★

Another week, another family-friendly-videogame-based-on-an-animated-blockbuster-arriving-just-in-time-for-Christmas. But while most spin-offs aimed at a pre-teen audience do little more than retell a familiar tale in the simplest way possible, Happy Feet at least allows kids to follow in the footsteps of the films impossibly cute star.

Using a standard dance mat  doubtless discarded after your kids or younger siblings grew tired of grooving to Kylie or The Darkness in Dancing Stage  players can get down to the movies irresistibly perky soundtrack, these hoedowns in turn mirroring key moments from Mumbles big screen escapades, such as his difficult birth or sickly-sweet attempts to win new friends.

Naturally, aside from these hilarious dance-offs Happy Feet is a typically garish kids adventure, packed with basic mini-games, perilous swimming challenges and fast-paced belly-sliding sequences that allow you get to grips with the penguin heros natural skills.

Nothing spectacular then, but Happy Feets charming graphics and selection of two-player modes help it nudge ahead of most kids titles battling for your cash as the festive season approaches.